Evaluating Amazon L7->Google L7 offer

Amazon
l7pmt

Go to company page Amazon

l7pmt
Dec 28, 2021 24 Comments

Hi Blinders,

Currently an L7 PMT-T IC at Amazon. TC for 2022 and 2023 assuming 15% annual stock appreciation will be $503K and $550K ($160K base + stonks). My target comp is around $360K, but I joined in Dec 2019 and have big stonks coming from my initial grant, in June and December. No refreshers yet, but might expect 2024 refreshers in April. Presume HVE job performance, though could be TT.

I received an offer from Google as L7 PM IC, apparently to be retitled as GPM in May 2022 due to PM ladder restructuring (elimination of L7.5 classification) but with no change of job scope or comp. TC for 2022 and 2023 assuming 15% annual stock appreciation will be $667K and $791K ($240K base + stonks + bonus in 2023).

Haven’t accepted the offer yet, but leaning strongly towards it. I have a formal offer letter to be signed and recruiter is lightly pressuring me; I offered mid-Jan to sign and she asked me to accelerate that, although they’re comfortable with my proposed early-Feb start date.

I’m Interested in folks’ suggestions about how to handle the Amazon exit and formally signing the offer. I like my Amazon manager, team, and role/work very much and want to be professional and respectful as/when I exit.

• Should I tell my manager before accepting the offer and give Amazon a chance to counter? Will they walk me out if I tell them it’s Google?
• Should I just sign the offer and give two weeks notice? (Email to manager and HR?)
• Am I right in presuming that Google vs Amazon refreshers will make TC in 2024 and beyond much greater at Google than Amazon?
• Are there good reasons I'm not thinking to decline the offer?

Thanks for thoughts!

#offer #google #pm

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TOP 24 Comments
  • Oracle
    JSnowflake

    Go to company page Oracle

    JSnowflake
    I was an L7 manager at Amazon, and top performer (TT rated, promoted from L6). Amazon matched my G offer ($850k in my case, but this was a few years back now) to keep me. I stayed for another almost 3 years at Amazon. Didn't regret it, but the L7 EM role at Google was truly tiny in scope (12 reports, L5-L7 ICs) and out of my core domain. I stayed at Amazon, built up to a 60 person team, left for an exec role with several hundred person outside Amazon and a TC that Amazon can't even meet at the L8 level (apparently it would be considered low L10 band). In your case, I would consider the role itself. If it is comparable in scope to your Amazon role and aligned with career objectives, then take the TC bump and go. If not, try to use it for leverage with Amazon - but unless you are HV3 or TT they probably won't match. My target comp couldn't go higher than $850k at Amazon and it was easy for me to get mid-1Ms legit target comp outside, and the days of stock price surging are likely numbered at Amazon given all the internal scaling/hiring/retention challenges, poor culture/reputation impact, and overhang from regulatory risk. Regarding handling, walk out is unlikely unless you are in AWS and going to GCP. If so, then be polite but don't say where you are going exactly, give notice in 1:1 and be thankful but firm.
    Dec 28, 2021 2
    • Amazon
      l7pmt

      Go to company page Amazon

      l7pmt
      OP
      Thank you friend, this is exactly the perspective I was hoping for.
      Dec 28, 2021
    • Google
      kfbx

      Go to company page Google

      kfbx
      This I moved from amazon l7 to google l5, laughable I know but they exceeded my Amazon comp by $100k. Switched from non tech to tech, long story.

      Anyway the scope is very small at google, even at l7 level.
      Dec 28, 2021
  • Conga / Other
    tormen

    Go to company page Conga Other

    tormen
    Wow congratulations! Would love to hear you interview and prep experience
    Dec 28, 2021 2
    • Amazon
      l7pmt

      Go to company page Amazon

      l7pmt
      OP
      Interviews were all product strategy and market estimation, plus a technical screen. I didn't do anything in particular to prep, as my loop was focused on consumer-facing PM positions and I have nearly 20 YOE in consumer PM and consumer strategy. So market segmentation, estimation, GTM, assessing success are all very natural to me.

      First part of the technical screen was tricky for me as it involved telephony stack, which I have no experience in. But second part (same interviewer) was probability/statistics and I have extensive background there.
      Dec 28, 2021
    • Conga / Other
      tormen

      Go to company page Conga Other

      tormen
      Thanks. Sounds like L7 PMT at Amazon was a down level for you and not the L7 at G. I have a lot less exp
      Dec 28, 2021
  • Amazon
    KtAi72

    Go to company page Amazon

    KtAi72
    What does the offer breakdown look like?
    Dec 28, 2021 3
    • Amazon
      KtAi72

      Go to company page Amazon

      KtAi72
      Got it. So what would the comp in year 3? Does it go down? What kind of assumptions are baked in I guess
      Dec 28, 2021
    • Amazon
      l7pmt

      Go to company page Amazon

      l7pmt
      OP
      Depends on refreshers, at 15% stock growth its $680K without refreshers but (Google folks weigh in!) my understanding is I would expect some.
      Dec 28, 2021
  • Airbnb
    I♥️Airbnb

    Go to company page Airbnb

    I♥️Airbnb
    Unless you have a line of sight for L8 in next 2 years it will be good to take the Google offer.

    I was in your boat last year, got HV3/TT for prior 2 years and still Amazon couldn't match the offer. Max Amazon can go is 10% above max of revised band ($550k) for L7 PMT which is about $600k (Seattle).

    No point fighting it. Accept the offer, move, and be happy!!

    You can always come back to Amazon as L8 in 2 years if you don't like it in Google.
    Jan 1 2
    • Amazon
      chotus

      Go to company page Amazon

      chotus
      Thanks for your reply . Have a FUP ques: what would it take to return to Amazon ( if I have to in future) as a L8 general manager. If one joins a L7 role in Google or say L6/7 role in FB and work there for 2-3 years, I believe at max they might be able to join only as director of product management at Amazon if they are lucky - is that correct ? Most of Amazon GMs are generally home grown and have not seen folks from outside taking those roles. Any comments ?
      Currently I am a L7 PMT in Amazon too.
      Jan 2
    • Amazon
      yuans656

      Go to company page Amazon

      yuans656
      L7 PMT can go to $600k in Seattle for external??
      Mar 28
  • Google
    kfbx

    Go to company page Google

    kfbx
    Amazon l7 to google l7 is a big jump, congrats!!
    Dec 28, 2021 0